The Portland daily press., 1887-12-15
THE oxNARps.
Interesting "reminiscences of the
Family.

Edmond, William and John oxnard were
remarkable band of brothers. While they
were able to do so, they could be seen any
day walking together in the outskirts of the
city earnestly engaged in the discussion of
the history of the meek" which they had
learned from their father, and their large
landed estate which they inherited from him.
The family were so prominent socially, and
In the mercantile business of the town, that
the death of the last one at his great age,
should call out some notice of their ancestry.
The first of the name who came to New
England was Thomas 0xnard, who came
from Durham, England, to Boston previous
to 1887; his marriage to Sarah Osborn was
recorded in March of that year. His house
was on fremont street fronting the Com
mon. He died in 1854, and was buried I'M
der old Trinity church. His widow married
Judge Samuel Watts of Boston, father Of
DR.. Edward Watts, who came TO Falmouth
in 1865. Mrs. Watts died in 1878. The last
item iu her will was as follows: Il give to
my servant Prince his freedom from the state
of slavery, and four pounds, lawful money"
Thomas Oxnard had son Thomas and a
son Edward. Thomas came to Falmouth
about 1866. and was appointed deputy collec-
tor of customs in ITO, under George Lyde'
Edward graduated at Harvard College in
1767, and followed his brother Thomas to
Falmouth, and in company they went into
trade. Edward was the father of Mr.. John
Oxaard, who died on Saturday, the last OF
the trio of brothers.
Edward, senior, married Mary, daughter of
Jabez Fox of Falmouth, in 1774. He was
born an Episcopalian and joined the Episco-
pal church in Falmouth. After Rev. Mr..
Wiswell left.his people in Mowatt's ship. in
June, 1775, previous to the burning of the
town, Mr.. Oxnard read prayers on the Sab
bath in the church. The Fox family were all
revolutionists-th privateer ship Fox" was
fitted out by John Fox a brother to Mrs. Ok
nard. Notwithstanding the strong opposing
feeling of the family, in which he had mar
ried, it is not strange that Mr.. Oxnard
should have been influenced by considera-
tions arising from his descent, political faith,
and religious belief as members then of the
Church of England, TO remain loyal to the
crown. Under the impression that the re-
bellion, as he deemed it, ought and would
be speedily crushed, he left America and ar
IlVcQ III ELBld III Aukucbs lttos LILO
brother Thomas went at the same time to
Castine which was then in the possession OF
the English.
Mrs. Oxnard while in England kept a
journal which has been in the possession OF
| his son Edward, by whose kindness | was
given an opportunity to examine it, and
| make some extracts. Mr.. Oxnard was a
member of the Adelpni Club in London,
composed of about twenty-five distinguished
loyalists, many of whom drew an annuity
from the English government.
This band of refugees spent their time in
mourning over their privati0ns which their
exile had brought upon them. They dined
together once week at the Adelphi tavern.
Mr.; Oxnard makes this entry IN his Journal ma
under date of December is. IT'S; Mr.
Silsbee called ON me and Informed me OF
the disagreeable news of the burning of Fall
mouth. Oh! my poor heart. how can sup
port the tidings; my tenderest connections
driven to the extremes of poverty and dis
tress by the arts of designing villains. L
spent a most melancholy day..
rlMr. 0xnard remained in England until
| April, 1875, when he took passage for Hall
| fax. During his stay in England his diary
| principally of personal incidents, with an
| occasional allusion to public affairs, was reg
ularly kept. He remained in Halifax until
January, 1856, when he returned to Fal-
mouth and become commission merchant.
house yet standing, on York street near Ma
Pile street. He died in July. 1903, aged 81.
His children were all born after his return
from England.
Edward Oxnard with his brother William,
formerly kept dry goods store in Mussey's
Row, but gave it up about 1925 and took a
counting room on Central wharf. They built
in succession the brig Pactolus,ship Burmah,
and ship Astracan, which were all employed
in the cotton trade. They sold out their yes
sells some thirty-iye years ago and the part
nership was dissolved.
Mr.. John Oxnard was a man Of very re-
firing habits. The three brothers we're much
together and seemed to have no other COM
panions. Edward was very social with those
who chose to visit him. He was well versed
in local history and the writer has often
been indebted to him for valuable informa-
ton. w. u.
December 18th.